Miami city family court records are held by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, not the Miami City Clerk. All divorce, custody, support, and other family law cases filed by Miami residents go through the county court system.
The 11th Judicial Circuit Court handles these cases for Miami and over 30 other cities in the county. Anyone who needs to see, copy, or check a family court case must use the county clerk’s office or its online tools.
Where Miami Family Court Records Are Stored
Family court records for Miami residents are kept at the county level. Florida law gives the county clerk the job of storing all court files for the local judicial circuit. Miami is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, so its family court files sit in the same system as files from Hialeah, Miami Beach, Homestead, Coral Gables, and other nearby cities. This setup makes it easier to track cases that cross city lines, such as when one parent lives in Miami and the other lives in Kendall or Doral.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court is the main office that holds Miami family court records. The current clerk is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. His office stores divorce papers, custody orders, child support files, paternity cases, adoption records, and domestic violence petitions. The main office sits at 73 W. Flagler Street in downtown Miami. This is where most people go to look at files, get certified copies, or ask questions about a case. The office also runs branch locations in other parts of the county for easier access.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk office holds all family court records for Miami residents under one roof.
Miami City Clerk vs County Clerk
The Miami City Clerk and the Miami-Dade County Clerk do very different jobs. The Miami City Clerk is found at 3500 Pan American Drive, close to Dinner Key Marina. That office keeps city records like commission minutes, business permits, and local contracts. It does not have any court files. If you call the city clerk about a divorce or custody case, they will tell you to contact the county clerk. The county clerk at 73 W. Flagler Street is the only office that can give you access to family court records for cases filed in Miami.
| Office | What It Handles | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Miami City Clerk | City records, permits, contracts | 3500 Pan American Drive |
| Miami-Dade County Clerk | All court records, including family cases | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami |
How to Access Records Online
You do not have to drive to the courthouse to check on a family court case in Miami. The county clerk runs several online tools that let you search for cases from your phone or computer. These tools are free to use and show basic case data, court dates, and document lists. For full paper files or certified copies, you still need to visit the office in person or place a request by mail.
Official Clerk Website Search
The main clerk website at www.miamidadeclerk.gov has a case search tool. You can type in a last name, a first name, or a full case number. The tool pulls up matching family law cases and shows the case type, filing date, judge, and current status. This is a fast way to check if a case exists, what stage it is in, and when the next hearing might be. The site also has links to forms, fee schedules, and branch office hours.
Online Court System Access
The Online Court System, or OCS, sits at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/ocs. This tool gives more detail than the basic search. You can see docket entries, motion history, and a list of every paper filed in the case. The OCS also shows upcoming court dates and the name of the judge assigned to the case. Some documents can be viewed right on the screen, while others are marked as available only at the clerk window. This system works well for lawyers, paralegals, and people handling their own family law case without a lawyer.
Florida E-Filing Portal
The Florida E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com covers all 67 counties in the state. You can use it to look up a Miami family case along with cases in other parts of Florida. The portal also lets you file new papers, pay filing fees, and serve documents to other parties. Attorneys who practice in Miami-Dade County must use this portal to file most family court papers. People without a lawyer can use it as well, but they can still file paper documents in person if they prefer that method.
Types of Family Court Records in Miami
The Miami-Dade family court system handles many kinds of cases. Each case type creates its own set of records, and each one has rules about who can see the file. Below are the main case types that show up in the clerk’s database and what kind of papers you can expect to find in each one.
Miami family law cases create detailed records that cover every part of a household dispute, from filing to final order.
Divorce Case Files
Divorce cases are the most common family court filings in Miami. A divorce file usually starts with a petition for dissolution of marriage. It then grows to include financial affidavits that list income, assets, and debts. You will also find settlement agreements, parenting plans if children are involved, and the final judgment of dissolution that ends the marriage. These files are public unless a judge seals them, which is rare. You can view most divorce papers through the OCS or by visiting the clerk window.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing
Custody cases in Miami follow Florida’s parenting plan rules. The case file holds the original petition, the proposed parenting plan, and any responses from the other parent. You will also see orders for time-sharing, decision-making authority, and mediation results. If the parents cannot agree, the file will show court orders from hearings and trials. These records help track who has the children on which days, who makes school and medical choices, and how travel between parents is handled.
Child Support Orders
Child support cases in Miami use the Florida income shares model. The file shows each parent’s income, the amount of support ordered, and the payment schedule. You will also find payment records from the Florida State Disbursement Unit, requests to change the amount, and orders from the court about past-due support. If the state is involved, the Department of Revenue will have its own papers in the file. These records are often used in later modification hearings or enforcement actions.
Domestic Violence Injunctions
Domestic violence cases move fast in Miami. A person can ask for a temporary injunction, and a judge can grant it within hours. The case file holds the petition, the temporary order, any police reports, and the final injunction after a full hearing. These files are public, but the address of the person asking for protection is kept private. You can search for the existence of an injunction by case number, but the details of the petition are only open to certain people under Florida law.
Paternity and Adoption Records
Paternity cases decide who the legal father of a child is. The file shows the petition, DNA test results, and the final order of paternity. Once paternity is set, the case may also include child support and custody orders. Adoption records are sealed by law in Florida. Only the adoptive parents, the adopted child once they turn 18, and certain court staff can see the full file. A short form of the adoption order, showing the new name and date of adoption, is public.
How to Request Miami Family Court Records
You have three main ways to get family court records in Miami: search online, visit the clerk in person, or send a mail request. Each method works for different needs. Online search is best for quick checks. In-person visits are needed for certified copies and sealed file reviews. Mail requests help people who live outside Miami or cannot take time off work to visit the office.
In-Person Record Requests
To get records in person, go to the main clerk office at 73 W. Flagler Street in downtown Miami. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You will pass through security screening before you reach the clerk windows. Tell the clerk the case number or the full names of the people in the case. They will pull the file for you to review, or they can make copies for a small fee per page.
Required ID and Fees
The clerk asks for photo ID before giving out any family court records. This rule protects the privacy of the people named in the case. Standard copies cost one dollar per page under Florida law. Certified copies, which carry the court seal and can be used in other legal matters, cost more. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the clerk window. The clerk also offers a fee waiver form for people who cannot afford the copy cost, and a judge can sign off on the waiver after a short review.
Sealed Records and Privacy Rules
Most family court records in Miami are public, but some are sealed by court order. A judge can seal a file when privacy outweighs the public’s right to see the case. Common reasons include protecting children from harm, hiding trade secrets in a business divorce, or keeping medical records private. Adoption records are sealed by state law and almost never opened to the public. Some parts of a public file are also redacted, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and the home address of a person in a domestic violence case.
Contact the Miami-Dade Clerk Office
Below is the direct contact data for the office that holds Miami family court records. Keep this data handy when you plan a visit, call with a question, or send a mail request.
Office: Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Clerk Name: Juan Fernandez-Barquin
Address: 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the most common questions people have about Miami family court records. The data below comes from Florida public records law, the Miami-Dade Clerk website, and current court rules as of August 2026. If your question is not listed, call the clerk office at the number above for direct help.
Can I view Miami family court records for free?
Yes, you can search the Miami-Dade Clerk online tools for free. The basic case search and the Online Court System do not charge a fee to view case data, hearing dates, or document lists. The free view does not include copies or certified versions. If you need paper copies for your own use, the clerk charges one dollar per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost more per page. Mailing fees may also apply if you ask the clerk to send the copies to you.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a divorce record?
If you visit the clerk window in person with a case number and valid photo ID, you can often get a certified copy the same day. The wait time depends on how busy the office is and how old the case is. Older cases kept in offsite storage may take a few business days to pull. Mail requests for certified copies can take one to three weeks, depending on mail speed and case location. Online requests through the clerk portal are processed in about three to five business days.
Are Miami divorce records public after the case closes?
Yes, closed divorce cases in Miami remain public records. The clerk keeps the file for a set number of years based on the case type. Most divorce files stay open for public view for at least 20 years after the final judgment. Some older files are sent to state archives, but you can still order copies through the clerk. A judge can seal a divorce file, but that only happens in rare cases where a clear reason is shown in court.
What if I do not know the case number for a family court file?
You can still search by name. The clerk website lets you enter a first and last name to find matching cases. If the name is common, you can narrow the search by adding a date of birth or an approximate filing year. The clerk window staff can also help you look up a case if you bring the full legal names of both parties and a photo ID. There is no fee to ask the clerk to run a name search at the office.
Can I remove my name or data from a public family court file?
In most cases, no. Florida public records law allows people to see family court files, and that right is hard to overturn. You can ask a judge to seal a specific document or the whole file, but you must show a strong reason, such as a threat to safety or a need to protect a child. The court may also redact sensitive data like Social Security numbers from public versions of the file. This redaction happens automatically in many case types, especially domestic violence and paternity.
Do I need a lawyer to get family court records in Miami?
No, you do not need a lawyer to get records. The clerk serves all members of the public, not just attorneys. You can search online, visit the office, or send a mail request on your own. A lawyer can help if you need to use the records in a new court case, file a motion, or respond to a court order. If your case is complex or involves a lot of money, hiring a family law attorney is often a smart move, but the records themselves are open to everyone.
Can I get Miami family court records from another state?
Yes, you can use the Florida E-Filing Portal to search for Miami cases from anywhere in the United States. The portal covers all 67 Florida counties. You can also mail a records request to the Miami-Dade Clerk office with a self-addressed stamped envelope, a copy of your photo ID, and the case number or party names. The clerk will mail back copies or let you know the cost for certified versions. Online credit card payment is accepted for mail orders as well.